Follow Us x

Contact Info x

Innocent Spouse

You filed a joint return with your spouse, which under subsequent examination by the Internal Revenue Service results in an understatement of tax. Generally, married taxpayers who file jointly are both liable for the full amount of tax due. However, where you can show that when you signed the return that you did not know, or had no reason to know of the understatement, or there were certain erroneous items reflected on the return, the IRS may grant you relief from paying the tax.

When filing a joint return, both spouses are jointly and individually responsible for the tax and any interest or penalty due on the return even if they later divorce. This is true even if a divorce decree states that a former spouse will be responsible for any amounts due on previously filed joint returns.

The three types of relief to a non-liable spouse are:

Innocent spouse relief

Relief by separation of liability

Equitable relief

Innocent Spouse Relief:By requesting innocent spouse relief, you can be relieved of responsibility for paying tax, interest, and penalties if your spouse improperly reported items or omitted items on your tax return. Generally, the tax, interest, and penalties that qualify for relief can only be collected from your spouse. However, you are jointly and individually responsible for any tax, interest, and penalties that do not qualify for relief. The IRS can collect these amounts from either you or your spouse.

The three required elements for Innocent Spouse Relief are:

You filed a joint return which has an “understatement of tax” due to “erroneous items” of your spouse.

You establish that at the time you signed the joint return you did not know, and had no reason to know, that there was an understatement of tax.

Taking into account all the facts and circumstances, it would be unfair to hold you liable for the understatement of tax.

“Understatement Of Tax” is generally the difference between the total amount of tax that should have been shown on your return and the amount of tax that was actually shown on your return.

“Erroneous Items” are either (i) unreported income of your spouse, or (ii) incorrect deduction, credit or basis claimed by your spouse.

Indications of unfairness considered by the IRS are:

Whether you received a significant benefit either directly or indirectly from the understatement.

Whether your spouse deserted you.

Whether you and your spouse have been divorced or separated.

Whether you received a benefit on the return from the understatement.

Relief By Separation Of LiabilityUnder this type of relief, you allocate (separate) the understatement of tax (plus interest and penalties) on your joint return between you and your spouse (or former spouse). The understatement of tax allocated to you is generally the amount you are responsible for.

To qualify for this relief, you must have filed a joint return and meet one of the following conditions: (i) you are no longer married to, or are legally separated from the spouse with whom you filed the joint return for which you are requesting relief, or (ii) you and your spouse are not members of the same household because you have been living apart for at least 12 months.

Equitable ReliefMay be available where you meet each of the following conditions:

You are not eligible for innocent spouse relief or relief by separation of liability.

You or your spouse did not transfer assets to one another as part of a fraudulent scheme.

Your spouse did not transfer assets to you for the main purpose of avoiding the tax or the payment of tax.

You did not file your return with the intent to commit fraud.

You did not pay the tax.

You establish that, taking into account all the facts and circumstances, it would be unfair to hold you liable for the understatement or underpayment of the tax.